https://kitup.military.com/2017/03/rambo.html
The Rapid Additively Manufactured Ballistics Ordnance, or RAMBO, was built by Army researchers using a 3-D printer.Photo: Army.
POSTED BY: MATTHEW COX MARCH 10, 2017
U.S. Army researchers test fired RAMBO, a 40mm grenade launcher and 40mm grenades that were built using a 3-D printer.
The printed grenade launcher, named RAMBO, which stands for Rapid Additively Manufactured Ballistics Ordnance, was the culmination of six months of collaborative effort by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, the U.S. Army Manufacturing Technology Program and America Makes, the national accelerator for additive manufacturing and 3-D printing.
Additive manufacturing, or AM, is an enabling technology that builds successive layers of materials to create a three-dimensional object.
“This demonstration shows that additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3-D printing) has a potential future in weapon prototype development, which could allow engineers to provide munitions to soldiers more quickly,” according to a March 1 Army press release.
“RAMBO is a tangible testament to the utility and maturation of additive manufacturing. It epitomizes a new era of rapidly developed, testable prototypes that will accelerate the rate at which researchers’ advancements are incorporated into fieldable weapons that further enable our warfighters.”
Every component in the M203A1 grenade launcher, except springs and fasteners, was produced using AM techniques and processes.

The Rapid Additively Manufactured Ballistics Ordnance, or RAMBO, was built by Army researchers using a 3-D printer.Photo: Army.
POSTED BY: MATTHEW COX MARCH 10, 2017
U.S. Army researchers test fired RAMBO, a 40mm grenade launcher and 40mm grenades that were built using a 3-D printer.
The printed grenade launcher, named RAMBO, which stands for Rapid Additively Manufactured Ballistics Ordnance, was the culmination of six months of collaborative effort by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, the U.S. Army Manufacturing Technology Program and America Makes, the national accelerator for additive manufacturing and 3-D printing.
Additive manufacturing, or AM, is an enabling technology that builds successive layers of materials to create a three-dimensional object.
“This demonstration shows that additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3-D printing) has a potential future in weapon prototype development, which could allow engineers to provide munitions to soldiers more quickly,” according to a March 1 Army press release.
“RAMBO is a tangible testament to the utility and maturation of additive manufacturing. It epitomizes a new era of rapidly developed, testable prototypes that will accelerate the rate at which researchers’ advancements are incorporated into fieldable weapons that further enable our warfighters.”
Every component in the M203A1 grenade launcher, except springs and fasteners, was produced using AM techniques and processes.